Joyce Baptist: The associate professor co-led a study abroad trip to Malaysia this year that included a conference on human/sex trafficking and cultural genocide balanced with a visit to the tallest twin towers in the world and a rustic adventure in Borneo. Joyce edits the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy and is focusing her research on the neurological effects of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) when used to treat depression. She is also entering the next phase, to include the family unit, in her military research. Joyce’s most exciting project is her 21-month-old daughter who is “a spitball of energy whose growth is exponential!”
Marcie Lechtenberg: The instructor/supervisor earned a Ph.D. from K-State’s marriage and family therapy program in May 2014.
Jared Durtshi: The assistant professor was awarded the Dawley-Scholer Award for Faculty Excellence in Student Development from the College of Human Ecology. Jared contracted with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapist’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) to provide an advanced statistical workshop to 25 MFP doctoral students. He attended a 4-day emotionally focused couple’s therapy training with Susan Johnson and Scott Woolley; he now provides psychoeducation to groups of pregnant and postpartum couples geared towards strengthening their romantic relationship as they adjust to parenthood. Jared’s research focuses on predictors and processes linked with relationship quality, relationship quality trajectories, transition to parenthood, and family process between parents and children.
Nancy O’Conner: The clinical associate professor and director of the Family Center received two major awards this year – Service to the Profession award from Kansas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the Barbara Stowe Faculty Development Award for College of Human Ecology to study elder mediation. She became a state approved mediator and trainer for domestic and core medication. This year she co-led a study abroad experience in conflicts resolution to Northern Ireland and worked with Northern Regional College to develop opportunities for our doctoral students to teach and study trauma there. Nancy also works with the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services on Home-Based Family Therapy.
Jared Anderson: The associate professor was contracted with the Kansas Department for Children and Families as PI or Co-PI to track indicators of child and family well-being and to evaluate the Strong Dads Program. Jared’s research focus areas are cognitive and relational factors that are associated with diabetes management in couples, relationship development in China, and processes related to marital quality and stability using secondary data. Papers related to these studies have been publish or are in press in Health Psychology, Journal of Family Psychology, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, among others. This year Jared is teaching the doctoral MFT Research Methods course.
Camille Lafleur: The research professor and clinical supervisor is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist who is active on the Kansas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy board and the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BRSB) Advisory Committee as well as other community boards. Camille leads trainings for in-home family therapists in the state of Kansas through the Home-Based Family Therapy Partnership in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. She also provides clinical supervision for the MFT masters and doctoral students.
Blake Berryhill: The research associate works with Sandi Stith on the Air Force research team. He received his Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy from K-State in 2014.
Amber Vennum: The assistant professor is leading research projects on students regarding relationship cycling, decision making, commitment, and factors related to emerging adult relationship quality that help better understand how to help them establish healthy, stable relationships. One research team conducted focus groups to find out what emerging adults would find helpful in a smart phone relationship app. Another team focuses on developing a framework for MFTs to increase access to mental health for underserved adolescents and their families and increase school success. Amber is leading a Kansas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy work group to explore amending legislation to include MFTs as approved mental health providers in Kansas schools.
